Best beers to drink this Summer

I’ve been sharing a lot lately about food and beer pairings, and well, you know what pairs best with beer? Summertime does. Long, bright, steaming hot days, grilling burgers… all this lends itself perfectly for a nice cold brew and some carbonation. I stand by the fact that it’s an innate human craving.

So as you gear up for the pinnacle of an all-American summer with the fourth of July just around the corner, I challenge you to walk past the Miller light at the store and reach for something more interesting, more authentically designed for summer- drinking:

Witbier

Belgian in origin, Witbier is brewed with malted barley and raw wheat, and spiced with coriander and orange peel, with a very subtle hops character. Witbier has a trademark thirst-quenching acidity and pairs well with many favorite summer meals- like that burger fresh from the grill, for example. Try:

Dogfish Head Brewery Namaste Witbier (USA)

St. Bernardus Wit (Belgium)

Hitachino Nest White Ale (Japan)

Kölsch

A light-bodied, subtly malty golden ale from Cologne, Germany. Think of it as an ale that looks and tastes like a typical lager. Light and balanced yet full-flavored, Kölsch is a great match for lighter summer foods like salads and seafood. Try:

Sierra Nevada German- style Kölsch (USA)

Reissdorf Kölsch (Germany)

Captain Laurence Captain’s Kölsch (USA)

Saison

My personal favorite for the summer season: Saison, or otherwise known as Farmhouse Ale. Originally brewed for summer seasonal workers on Belgian farms, Saison is heavily hopped, crisp and bold, with an alcohol content of over 6%- think of it as an intensified, amplified wheat beer. Try:

Brasserie Dupont Saison Dupont (Belgium)

Ommegang Hennepin Farmhouse Ale(USA)

Crooked Stave Surette Provision Saison (USA)

Cheers and happy fourth of July! And please remember to drink in moderation and never drink and drive.